Weekend Breaks from Southampton Airport

There are a small but an intriguing number of options for a weekend break from Southampton airport. One night breaks are mostly focused on UK cities and Channel Island destinations but if you are able to extend and fly out on a Friday or Monday the range of weekend break options grows. Connect easily from Southampton Parkway railway station from destinations like Weymouth, Poole, Bournemouth, Winchester or Basingstoke.  Below we share the best options for a city break from Southampton Airport.

Southampton offers some great connections to both Guernsey and Jersey allowing you to have a one night weekend break in the Channel Islands:

Short Breaks to Jersey from Southampton

A short break to Jersey from Southampton Airport promises a delightful escape filled with scenic beauty, cultural richness, and a touch of island charm. The convenient 50 minute direct flight from Southampton ensures a quick and stress-free journey, allowing you to make the most of your precious time away.

Flights to Jersey depart just after 8am with Blue Islands allowing you to return the following day on a flight just after 6pm. Flights to Jersey operate at similar times and are fully operated by Blue Islands. Upon landing in Jersey, you’ll find yourself immersed in a captivating blend of lush landscapes, golden beaches, and historical sites. Explore the island’s quaint villages, where charming narrow lanes lead to hidden gems, and vibrant markets showcase local crafts and flavors. Jersey boasts a unique cultural heritage, evident in its medieval castles, Neolithic dolmens, and the iconic Mont Orgueil Castle that overlooks the coastline.

Short Breaks to Guernsey from Southampton

The short distance between Southampton and Guernsey ensures that your time is maximized for exploration and enjoyment. Whether seeking a tranquil retreat or an active escape, a short break to Guernsey promises an enriching experience, easily accessible from Southampton Airport. Flights to Guernsey depart just after 8am with Aurigny allowing you to return the following day on a flight just after 6pm. The return flight is with Blue Islands.

Short Breaks to Edinburgh from Southampton

Embarking on a short break from Southampton Airport to the historic city of Edinburgh is a relatively straightforward affair. The direct flight connection ensures a swift and convenient escape to this Scottish gem, where medieval charm meets vibrant urban life.

Flights to Edinburgh operate daily, mainly flown by Loganair. Enjoy Scotland’s capital for a one night mid-week break with most early morning flights from SOU arriving before 10:30am. Some weekdays have more departure flights to give you greater options. Return flights depart around 6pm with an extra flight on Sunday available at a slightly later time. Saturday flights are limited so we would suggest a two night weekend break, taking the last Friday flight from Southampton and then return on Sunday.

Travelling into the city from Edinburgh Airport is a straightforward affair with tram and bus links the best option. Upon arriving in Edinburgh, you’re greeted by the iconic skyline dominated by the Edinburgh Castle perched on an extinct volcanic hill. Immerse yourself in the city’s rich history by exploring the Royal Mile, a cobbled street that winds its way through the heart of the Old Town, adorned with historic landmarks, quirky shops, and traditional Scottish pubs. The compact size of the city ensures that, even on a short break, you can absorb the essence of Edinburgh’s unique blend of history, culture, and contemporary flair, making it an ideal destination for a memorable getaway from Southampton.

Short Breaks to Belfast from Southampton

Aer Lingus offer twice daily connections to Belfast City Airport from SOU with timings that work for a weekend city break without having to take any time off.  The short flight time from Southampton means that morning flight times don’t require you getting up at the break of dawn and you can touch down in Belfast before 11am.

Explore the Titantic Quarter, the extensive art collection in the Ulster Museum or immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the Cathedral Quarter. Extend your Belfast city break to journey to the Giant’s Causeway and embark on a scenic drive along the Causeway Coastal Route, reveling in the beauty of the Northern Irish coastline.

Other Destinations from Southampton Airport

The team here at NanoTrip focus on one night breaks but given the limited options for a Nano Break from Southampton Airport we wanted to highlight a few other alternatives for a city break. If you are able to get time off and stretch to a two or three night break the destinations below are worth considering from Southampton Airport:

Short Breaks to Amsterdam from Southampton

Similar to many regional UK airports, Southampton offers flights to Amsterdam with KLM. However the SOU-AMS flight times from are not as conducive to a single night break as others from the UK. Flights depart at 9:20am and get into AMS at 11:35am (bending the rules for a Nano Break). Flights back depart after 4:30pm from Schiphol which again does not give you as much time as other UK connections to Amsterdam. Thus, a city break to Amsterdam from Southampton should be a two or three night trip.

Do also consider other Dutch cities which you can connect to via rail from Amsterdam airport. Destinations such as Rotterdam, The Hague and even Brussels can in touching distance as well as a variety of extended European connections via Schiphol.

Weekend Breaks to Newcastle from Southampton

Loganair also offer daily flights to Newcastle from Southampton. Flight times work for a one night break in the North East but again we would point to better options when flying on a Friday and returning on a Sunday

Weekend Breaks to Dublin from Southampton

Southampton Airport also offers direct flights to Dublin. These operate year round with Aer Lingus getting you into Dublin airport around midday. Dublin’s compact size ensures that a short break from Southampton allows you to absorb the city’s charm, lively culture, and friendly spirit.

Weekend Breaks to Glasgow from Southampton

Glasgow is another Scottish weekend break destination to consider from Southampton. Flights with Loganair or Easyjet are daily with weekend flights offering a one night break.  We suggest the Loganair flights as this gives you more time in the city and whilst fares might initially feel more expensive do compare fully after selecting seats and considering your luggage.

Rail Breaks from Southampton

If none of these cities, do consider a break by train. Departing from Southampton you can easily reach London, Bath, Bristol and Cardiff. Manchester is also possible for a one night break by train although the time spent on the train is significant.

Getting to Southampton Airport For Your Weekend Break

Southampton Airport has great connections from the majority of cities and towns on the south coast. Southampton Parkway is located adjacent to the airport and is a two minute walk straight from platform two. The train station has direct links from Londo Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Woking, Basingstoke and Winchester. Travelling eastwards you can travel from Weymouth, Poole, Bournemouth and Salisbury. Trains run regularly throughout the day and can align to early morning departures and late evening returns from your weekend break.

Southampton is a small airport with one terminal building and should you wish to drive to the airport the parking for a weekend break is also relatively close by. The terminal building has a taxi desk and also there are buses that run into the city centre.

Image by Ryan McGuire